Last verified: 15 September 2026 · 🟢 low volatility.
You can get by in English almost everywhere in Kenyan tourism, cities, hotels, signage and business. But learning a little Kiswahili (Swahili) is genuinely appreciated, warms up every interaction, and helps in markets, matatus and rural areas.
Pronunciation (easy!)
Swahili is spelled how it sounds, with consistent vowels:
- a = "ah", e = "eh", i = "ee", o = "oh", u = "oo"
- Stress almost always on the second-to-last syllable (e.g. ha-BA-ri, a-SAN-te).
- "ng'" is a single nasal sound (like the ng in "sing").
Greetings & manners
| English |
Kiswahili |
| Hello (tourist-y) |
Jambo / Hujambo |
| How are you? |
Habari? / Habari yako? |
| I'm fine / good |
Nzuri / Salama / Poa (casual) |
| What's up? (slang) |
Mambo? / Vipi? → reply Poa |
| Good morning |
Habari ya asubuhi |
| Good evening |
Habari ya jioni |
| Welcome |
Karibu (to one) / Karibuni (to many) |
| Please |
Tafadhali |
| Thank you (very much) |
Asante (sana) |
| You're welcome |
Karibu |
| Yes / No |
Ndiyo / Hapana |
| Excuse me / sorry |
Samahani / Pole (sympathy) |
| Goodbye |
Kwaheri |
| See you later |
Tutaonana |
| No problem / it's all good |
Hakuna matata / Hakuna shida |
| What's your name? |
Jina lako nani? |
| My name is… |
Jina langu ni… |
| Nice to meet you |
Nafurahi kukutana nawe |
| Do you speak English? |
Unazungumza Kiingereza? |
| I don't understand |
Sielewi |
| I don't speak Swahili (much) |
Sizungumzi Kiswahili (sana) |
Respect terms: Mzee (respected elder/older man), Mama (older woman/mother), Baba (father), Kaka (brother), Dada (sister), Rafiki (friend), Bwana (Mr/sir), Bibi (Mrs/ma'am or grandmother).
Getting around / transport
| English |
Kiswahili |
| Where is…? |
…iko wapi? |
| I want to go to… |
Nataka kwenda… |
| How much (is the fare)? |
Ni bei gani? / Nauli ni ngapi? |
| Stop here (in a matatu) |
Shukisha hapa / Shusha hapa |
| Let me off / drop me |
Shukisha |
| Left / right / straight |
Kushoto / Kulia / Moja kwa moja |
| Here / there |
Hapa / Pale |
| Car / bus / matatu |
Gari / Basi / Matatu |
| Airport |
Uwanja wa ndege |
| Slow down |
Pole pole (lit. "slowly") |
| Wait |
Ngoja / Subiri |
Money & shopping
| English |
Kiswahili |
| How much? |
Bei gani? / Ngapi? |
| That's expensive |
Ni ghali |
| Lower the price a bit |
Punguza kidogo |
| I don't want |
Sitaki |
| No, thank you |
Hapana, asante |
| I'm just looking |
Naangalia tu |
| Money |
Pesa |
| Do you accept M-Pesa? |
Unapokea M-Pesa? |
| Give me… |
Nipe… |
| I want to buy… |
Nataka kununua… |
Restaurant & food
| English |
Kiswahili |
| Food / water |
Chakula / Maji |
| I'm hungry / thirsty |
Nina njaa / Nina kiu |
| The menu, please |
Menyu, tafadhali |
| I would like… |
Ningependa… |
| Delicious |
Tamu / Nzuri sana |
| The bill, please |
Bili, tafadhali / Hesabu, tafadhali |
| Tea / coffee |
Chai / Kahawa |
| Meat / fish / vegetables |
Nyama / Samaki / Mboga |
| No meat (vegetarian) |
Sitaki nyama / Chakula bila nyama |
| Cold / hot |
Baridi / Moto |
Accommodation
| English |
Kiswahili |
| Hotel / room |
Hoteli / Chumba (note: "hoteli" often means an eatery too!) |
| Guesthouse / lodging |
Nyumba ya wageni |
| Do you have a room? |
Kuna chumba? |
| Key |
Ufunguo |
| Bathroom / toilet |
Bafu / Choo |
| Water isn't working |
Maji hayafanyi kazi |
Emergencies & health (see also the Getting Help file)
| English |
Kiswahili |
| Help! |
Saidia! / Nisaidie! |
| I need help |
Nahitaji msaada |
| Call the police |
Piga simu polisi |
| Police |
Polisi |
| I'm sick |
Mimi ni mgonjwa |
| Hospital / doctor |
Hospitali / Daktari |
| Ambulance |
Gari la wagonjwa / ambulensi |
| Pharmacy / medicine |
Duka la dawa / Dawa |
| I've been robbed |
Nimeibiwa |
| Danger |
Hatari |
| Fire |
Moto |
| Stop! |
Simama! / Acha! |
Safari & nature
| English |
Kiswahili |
| Animal(s) |
Mnyama / Wanyama |
| Lion |
Simba |
| Elephant |
Tembo / Ndovu |
| Buffalo |
Nyati / Mbogo |
| Leopard |
Chui |
| Rhino |
Kifaru |
| Giraffe |
Twiga |
| Zebra |
Punda milia |
| Hippo |
Kiboko |
| Journey / trip |
Safari (yes — that's the origin of the word!) |
Numbers, days & time
| Number |
Kiswahili |
|
Number |
Kiswahili |
| 1 |
moja |
|
10 |
kumi |
| 2 |
mbili |
|
20 |
ishirini |
| 3 |
tatu |
|
50 |
hamsini |
| 4 |
nne |
|
100 |
mia (moja) |
| 5 |
tano |
|
1,000 |
elfu (moja) |
| 6 |
sita |
|
|
|
| 7 |
saba |
|
today |
leo |
| 8 |
nane |
|
tomorrow |
kesho |
| 9 |
tisa |
|
yesterday |
jana |
Days: Jumatatu (Mon), Jumanne (Tue), Jumatano (Wed), Alhamisi (Thu), Ijumaa (Fri), Jumamosi (Sat), Jumapili (Sun).
Time: morning asubuhi, midday mchana, evening jioni, night usiku, now sasa, later baadaye.
Signs & words you'll see/hear
- Karibu = welcome · Hatari = danger · Choo = toilet · Funga/Fungua = closed/open · Polisi = police · Duka = shop · Soko = market · Barabara = road · Mwendo pole = drive slowly · Sheng = the Nairobi Swahili-English street slang · Mzungu = a white/foreign person (usually said without malice) · Rafiki = friend · Twende! = let's go!
Kiswahili is a joy to learn — even "asante sana" (thank you very much) and "hakuna matata" (no worries) go a long way. Locals will happily help you practice.
High-stakes details change, confirm against the official source before you rely on them. Want a costed plan? Plan a trip →
